Seal of Denver facts for kids
The Seal of the City and County of Denver is the official symbol for the government of Denver, Colorado, USA. It helps people recognize official documents and property belonging to the city. Think of it like a special badge or logo for Denver.
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What Does Denver's Official Seal Look Like?
The current official seal of Denver was created in 1901 by a Denver artist named Henry Read. It is round and has several important symbols.
Symbols on the Denver Seal
- American Eagle: An American eagle is shown on the seal. This reminds everyone that Denver is a free city in the United States.
- Key: You will also see a key on the seal. This key represents Denver as the "key to the Rocky Mountains." It also shows how welcoming and friendly Denver citizens are to visitors.
- Capitol Dome: The seal includes a picture of a dome from a capitol building. This is because Denver is the capital city of the state of Colorado.
Denver's Older Seal: A Look Back
Before the current design, Denver had a different official seal. This older seal featured a very tall smokestack from the Omaha and Grant Smelter.
The Tall Smokestack of the Past
The original smokestack was built in 1883 near the Platte River. A taller one was built in 1892. For many years, this smokestack was known as the tallest structure in the world! However, it was taken down on February 26, 1950. This was done to make space for the Denver Coliseum, which is still there today.
Mountains and Sun on the Old Seal
The older seal also showed a view of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The rays of the setting sun were shown lighting up the sky behind the mountains.
